Students at Oasis Academy Brightstowe staged their own banana drama in support of Fairtrade fortnight.

They joined an attempt to set a world record for the greatest number of people eating a banana in a 24-hour period as part of a worldwide campaign.

Organisers were expecting more than 200,000 people all over the world to take part in the Go Bananas for Fairtrade event.

Fairtrade bananas were handed out to students at the Shirehampton secondary school during their lunch break.

Charitable donations from local shops and church groups supported the attempt. Shirehampton Co-op donated 100 Fairtrade bananas, as did Tesco and Waitrose and each teacher brought a bunch to work.

Year 11 head boy Luke Saunders said: "We wanted to support the Fairtrade Foundation because they tackle the exploitation of producers in developing countries. We think that everybody should buy Fairtrade products whenever they get the chance because that way everyone gets a fair deal."

Students at St Brendan's Sixth Form College also took part in the record attempt.

The environmental group People and Planet bought two crates of Fairtrade bananas which were quickly consumed in the refectory.

Daniel Shearing, a member of People and Planet, said: "It is a great chance for students to get involved and really make a difference."

The Fairtrade Foundation will record the tally of banana eaters on its website www.fairtrade.org.uk.